Spring Valley beats Goose Creek 53-46 for 4A girls title

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Spring Valley claimed its third Class 4A girls basketball state championship since 2009 with a 53-46 victory over Goose Creek Friday night at the Colonial Life Arena.

Christian Hithe recorded a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds and Shantay Taylor added 12 points and eight rebounds. Hithe had a double-double with over five minutes remaining in the first half.

The victory gives Spring Valley coach Anne Long her seventh state title in her 39-year career. She won titles in 1984, 85, 88 and 89 while at Union to go along with her three titles with Spring Valley (25-4).

The Vikings took control early in the fourth quarter. They trailed 36-35 entering the fourth quarter before Megan Davis hit back-to-back 3-pointers and Hithe added a layup to stretch the lead to 43-36 less than two minutes into the period.

Goose Creek (22-7) was paced by 11 points each from Ericka Broughton and Ryan Bishop.